IIM bill will eliminate government interference, says HRD Minister

The ruling government and the opposition are always in fight mode, but in a rare instance, the opposition today praised the government for bringing the Indian Institutes of Management Bill, 2017. The bill was presented by HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar and he received praise from the opposition since the bill will provide functional autonomy to the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). It would be achieved as the bill will reduce the government’s role in the functioning of these premier institutes.

The bill will give statutory powers to these institutes, enabling them to take independent decisions regarding various matters such as appointment of faculty members, directors, etc. It will also allow the institutes to give degrees instead of the current post graduate diplomas. There is also a provision wherein these institutes can appoint members of the board of governors (BoG). Such appointment can be done in any of the 20 IIMs through a transparent process, all while limiting the role of the HRD Ministry.

As per the bill, the post of the visitor will also be abolished. The current visitor of the IIMs is the President of India. Javadekar said that this is a historical bill which will pave the way for the beginning of a new era in management education in the country. He said the reduced interference from the government will promote excellence in higher education.